Media Medium
17 December 2001

MARK THOMPSON

Unleash the lion

Mark Thompson, a Leo, might be more savage in his new job
as Channel 4 chief than he was at the BBC

Like every good Leo, Mark Thompson (July 31 1957) knows he
belongs at the top, and on the way he has manifested some of the
sign's finest qualities, especially loyalty, organisational
ability, and sheer creative talent. Add to these a diplomatic and
persuasive Libran Moon, plus a pinch of Virgo's modest self-
deprecation and analytical skill, and there is little more that
Channel 4 could ask for in its new chief executive.

His horoscope is also notable for its 'Bundle' formation - all
planets bunched within a 120 degree arc - making Thompson
opportunistic and highly focused, able to "build small beginnings
into great and often unanticipated final results" (Marc Edmund
Jones, Guide To Horoscope Interpretation). A weakness is lack of
water, distancing him from the common touch and the milk of human
kindness which can empathise with the watery, emotional
sensitivities of others.

But there is a mismatch between what we know of Mark Thompson and
what his horoscope suggests. His Leo Sun is exactly conjunct the
radical and revolutionary planet Uranus, known for its
eccentricity, ingenuity and willingness to switch positions
unpredictably. This hardly seems to fit the "safe pair of hands"
image that Thompson is credited with in his big move to Channel
4. The Leo placings make him supremely self-assured, but the Sun
with Uranus gives him an independence and deep singularity, as
well as a desire to be unique. His touch of disdain for people
and projects that aren't quite first-rate is no doubt moderated
in his dealings with others by the charm of his Libran Moon and
his courteous Virgo manner, but ultimately, he is a difficult man
to read: "a clean, positive force ... the Uranian is a law unto
himself, receiving his commands from his own higher nature even
if he only displays this in one area of life" (Liz Greene).

An astrologer can't help feeling that the world hasn't yet seen
the full extent of Thompson's on-the-edge creativity. Given
Channel 4's brief to balance innovation and a public service
remit with commercial success, his reforming zeal might manifest
more in his new job that it did at the BBC. Channel 4's first
broadcast makes it a Scorpio (November 2 1982), oddly sharing its
birthday with BBC Television's own first broadcast (November 2
1936). One power-riddled Scorpion is much the same as another,
suiting Thompson either way because his horoscope makes similar
connections to both. Uranus dominates his first year in the job
and we are likely to see less modesty and more panache. He may
also reveal an unexpectedly ruthless side as he clears the decks
and axes the clowns. There are sure to be howls of outrage from
the castrated and frustrated.

Once he is past the shake-out of his first year, 2003 and 2004
bring productive Jupiter influences, promising another of his
success stories, and there is nothing obvious to pull him down or
stop him. As to the distant future, Auntie probably won't be
calling him home again until 2007.